Viasna activist fined in Svietlahorsk
Human rights activist Alena Masliukova
Alena Masliukova, activist of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in Svietlahorsk, has been fined 612.5 rubles (USD 285) on charges of organizing an illegal gathering.
On October 9, Judge Ruslan Tsaruk of the Svietlahorsk District Court found Masliukova guilty under part 2 of Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code for alleged involvement in staging a flashmob against a local bleached pulp mill.
After the trial, the human rights activist said she would appeal against the ruling.
The day before, the same judge fined local environmental activist Anatol Zmitrovich.
The trial of Alena Masliukova and Anatol Zmitrovich opened on September 24. They were accused of joining a street protest held on September 15.
On October 1, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders issued an urgent appeal calling to drop all charges against the Svietlahorsk activists.
